1. What is the Internet? The Internet is a network of networks. It gives users access to a wide variety of information from millions of different sources. It also gives users access to electronic mail (email).

2. What is the Internet? To access the Internet users need: –A computer. –A modem. –A telephone line or broadband connection. –An Internet Service Provider (ISP).

3. The World Wide Web Web pages and websites can be viewed using special software called ‘web browsers’ (e.g. Netscape, Internet Explorer).

4. The World Wide Web Websites are created using html (Hyper Text Mark-up Language).

5. The World Wide Web Websites can be found in two different ways: –By typing the website’s URL (Universal Resource Locator) into a search engine. –Using the ‘search’ facility in a search engine.

6. Examples of search engines

7. Newsgroups and chat rooms Newsgroups are Internet-based discussion groups devoted to discussing specific topics or interests (e.g. rock bands, world politics, hobbies or sports). There are currently over 5,000 newsgroups. Chat rooms are pages on a website or online service where users can ‘chat’ with other users.

8. What are the advantages of the Internet as a source of information? It can be accessed from anywhere. It provides access to huge amounts of information (e.g. encyclopaedias, dictionaries, online newspapers, online magazines, online books).

9. What are the advantages of the Internet as a source of information? Information can be accessed immediately. The information is up-to-date. The information can include multimedia (e.g. video clips, animations, sound). Search engines can help users find the information they need.

10. What are the disadvantages of the Internet as a source of information? The hardware and software required to use the Internet can be expensive. Information may not always be accurate or true. Too much information.